Do you also have diabetes during pregnancy? (Gestational Diabetes) Let's find out without fear!

Most of the time, when we become mothers, we all hope to bring a healthy baby into this world. But sometimes, unexpected health problems can arise. Today, we are going to talk about a special type of diabetes that some mothers develop only during pregnancy. This is what we call gestational diabetes .

What is Gestational Diabetes? It's very simple!

Simply put, `(Gestational Diabetes)` means that your blood sugar level, that is, `(blood sugar level),` is higher than normal during pregnancy. Now you may be thinking, `Oh, I didn't have diabetes before, so how did this happen?' In fact, this often occurs during pregnancy in people who have never had diabetes before. That's why it's called ``gestational diabetes.'' This condition occurs when the body cannot use the hormone `(Insulin)` properly, along with the hormonal changes that occur in our body during pregnancy.

Your doctor or midwife will usually test you for this between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy . This is called a ``glucose screening test''. This means that you drink a sweet liquid and then your blood sugar level is checked about an hour later. Sometimes this can be a two- or three-hour test. This is often the only way to know for sure whether you have this condition or not. So, is it better to skip this ``screening test''? Because if we detect it early, we can greatly reduce the effects of this.

Why should we care so much about gestational diabetes? What effects can it have on the baby?

Now you might be thinking, 'Okay, my blood sugar is a little high, but what's going to happen to the baby?' Actually, when the mother's blood sugar level increases, it crosses the placenta and increases the blood sugar level of the unborn baby. This is why we need to be especially careful about this. Let's look at what the risks are:

• Premature birth: Sometimes, a baby can be born prematurely, before 37 weeks. If this happens, the baby's lungs are not fully developed, which can lead to health problems such as difficulty breathing, and may require breathing support. Babies born prematurely are also at risk of other complications.
• The baby may gain weight (Macrosomia): Because the mother's blood sugar is high, the baby also gets more sugar. The baby then converts it into energy and stores it as excess fat. This can cause the baby to become larger than it should be, meaning it can weigh more than 4 kilos. This can make it difficult to deliver the baby normally. The baby may be injured during delivery, or the mother may experience discomfort. There is also a higher chance of a ``C-section'', meaning a surgical procedure to deliver the baby.
• Neonatal Hypoglycemia: To control the mother's blood sugar level, the baby's pancreas produces more insulin while in the womb. So, once the baby is born, when the mother's sugar supply stops, the baby's blood sugar level may suddenly drop due to the high insulin level. This is also not a good situation for the baby, because sugar is essential for brain function. If that happens, the baby will have to be given additional sugar.
• May require a longer hospital stay: For reasons like these, some babies may need additional treatment and monitoring, which may require a longer stay in the hospital.
• Risk of developing diabetes in later life: Another important thing is that babies born to mothers who had gestational diabetes are slightly more likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus when they grow up. They are also more likely to become obese.

So, you understand, right? This is not just a problem for the mother, but something that can greatly affect the baby's short-term and long-term health.

Okay, now what if I find out I have gestational diabetes? Is this something to be afraid of?

First of all, don't panic! If your doctor tells you that you have gestational diabetes, there are ways to manage it. Your doctor will start a treatment plan that works for you. Most often, you will need to do the following:

1. A healthy diet

This is the most important thing . You need to be careful about what you eat and drink.

• You need to reduce your intake of foods high in sugar, flour, and oil as much as possible. You need to stay away from things like sweetened drinks, cakes, and biscuits.
• You need to eat more fruits, vegetables, and fiber-rich foods. Include whole grains like brown rice, buckwheat, and oats, leafy greens, vegetables, and fruits (choose fruits with low sugar content) in your diet.
• Eat at the right time, in the right amount. It is better to eat several small meals throughout the day than to eat large meals all at once.

Your doctor or a nutritionist or dietitian can give you good advice on this. If you control your diet properly, you can control your blood sugar levels to a great extent.

2. Daily exercise

The other important thing is to do a little exercise every day.

• You can do light exercise like walking for at least 30 minutes a day .
• You can also do things like yoga on medical advice.

But it's best to ask your doctor what exercises are right for you and how long you should do them. Exercise increases the body's sensitivity to insulin, which helps control blood sugar.

3. Maybe `(Insulin)` injections

Some mothers may not be able to control their blood sugar levels properly through diet and exercise alone. In such cases, the doctor will tell you to take daily `(Insulin)` injections (`shots`). This is to provide the body with the amount of `(Insulin)` it needs from outside. These `(Insulin)` injections will not harm the baby, so don't worry about it. The doctor will teach you exactly how to inject `(Insulin)`.

4. Check blood sugar levels regularly

Your doctor will give you a small device (a `glucometer`) that you can use to check your blood sugar levels at home. You will need to check and record your blood sugar levels several times a day (like before breakfast and after meals). This will help your doctor determine whether your treatment is working properly, whether your blood sugar is under control, and whether you need to make any changes to your diet.

Even though you may have to work a little harder until the baby arrives, remember that you are doing all this for the good health of both you and the baby.

What happens to this gestational diabetes after the baby is born? Will it stay that way?

This is a problem that many mothers have. The good news is that in most cases, gestational diabetes goes away after the baby is born! This is because the main cause of this is the hormonal changes that occur in the body during pregnancy. Once the baby is born, those hormone levels return to normal, so your blood sugar levels also return to normal. Your doctor will check your sugar levels again about 6 to 12 weeks after the baby is born.

But there are a few things to keep in mind:

• It can happen again: If you have had gestational diabetes once, there is a more than 50% chance that you will develop the condition again in your next pregnancy. Therefore, it is best to discuss this with your doctor before you get pregnant again and make the necessary preparations.
• Risk of developing `(Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus)` in the future: Mothers who have had gestational diabetes have a significantly higher risk of developing a permanent diabetes condition called `(Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus)` later in life than others. This is something we should be very concerned about. According to some studies, this risk can be between 50% and 70%.
• Maintaining a healthy weight: So the best thing you can do to reduce this future risk is to maintain your body weight at a healthy level after having a baby. Eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly will help a lot with this.
• Stay in touch with your doctor: After having a baby, go for follow-up tests as your doctor recommends. It is a good idea to have your blood sugar levels checked at least once a year. This can help you identify if you are at risk for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus or if you have prediabetes.

That said, it's not a good idea to completely forget about having a baby. You also need to think about your long-term health. This is like a warning to you.

So, what are the most important things we need to remember in all of this?

Okay, there are a few things we've talked about that should really stick in your mind. Let's look at them one by one:

1. Gestational diabetes is not something to be afraid of, but something to be aware of: This is a condition that only occurs during pregnancy. It can occur even if you have not had diabetes before.

2. Get tested on time: Be sure to get the ``glucose screening test`` done between 24-28 weeks. The sooner it is detected, the easier it is to control.

3. The baby may be affected: If the mother's blood sugar increases, the baby may be born prematurely, gain weight, and have low blood sugar after birth. The baby is also at risk of developing ``Type 2 Diabetes`` and obesity in the future.

4. There are treatments and they can be controlled: This condition can be well controlled with a healthy diet, exercise, insulin injections if necessary, and regular blood sugar testing. Follow your doctor's instructions exactly.

5. It often goes away after giving birth: However, it can come back if you get pregnant again. It also increases the mother's risk of developing `(Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus)` in the future.

6. Keep taking care of your health: Maintain a healthy weight after having a baby. Eat a balanced diet, exercise. Stay in touch with your doctor, and get regular checkups.

Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Your doctor, family health worker, nutritionist, and family members are all there to help you. The most important thing is to be aware of this, not to be afraid, and to take the necessary steps. Then both you and your baby can be healthy and happy.

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